After several attempts over the last few years, Brown Dog Pizza co-owner Jeff Smokevitch will finally bring his Detroit style pizza to Denver. Blue Pan Pizza is set to open June 8 in the West Highland neighborhood.

“I have so much confidence in my product and I want to show it to other people in a bigger market,” Smokevitch said. In 2011, Smokevitch, fellow Brown Dog co-owner Dan Lynch and current business partner Giles Flanagin were ready to open a second Brown Dog location in Denver when neighborhood opposition led to them failing to secure a liquor license. Since then Flanagin and Smokevitch have continued to pursue opportunities in Denver, with a few bumps along the way.